It is a requirement that all students who attend Wakatipu High School bring a device to school to assist with their learning.
Learning with ICT
Digital technology has a vital role in teaching and learning at Wakatipu High School. As a BYOD school we actively encourage our students to use digital technology confidently and competently by learning how to keep themselves safe online and manage challenges and issues.
We have partnered with Family Zone to provide Year 9 parents with a complimentary subscription to their services. This includes access to tools, education and support required to create a cyber safe environment. With an active Family Zone account parents will have increased visibility and understanding of how their child is using their learning device online, outside of school; as well as the ability to manage screen time, block adult content and other parental controls to ensure their safety online.
Digital technology has a vital role in teaching and learning at Wakatipu High School. As a BYOD school we actively encourage our students to use digital technology confidently and competently by learning how to keep themselves safe online and manage challenges and issues.
We have partnered with Family Zone to provide Year 9 parents with a complimentary subscription to their services. This includes access to tools, education and support required to create a cyber safe environment. With an active Family Zone account parents will have increased visibility and understanding of how their child is using their learning device online, outside of school; as well as the ability to manage screen time, block adult content and other parental controls to ensure their safety online.
Here are some links to useful information and resources for students and parent around the safe and responsible use of digital devices and online spaces.
Why BYOD?
WHS recognises the role eLearning plays in upholding our vision in a rapidly changing world. The change in access to new technologies penetrates all aspects of society with the way people work, communicate and relate to each other. WHS identifies that the teaching and learning environment has to keep abreast with societal changes.
BYOD will allow all students to learn in ways that are not possible in a traditional classroom. The key drivers for change are:
How to get a device
There are a number of options families have available to obtain a device.
Financial Support
WHS operates the Awhi Fund, the Maori word for 'help'. This fund is designed to assist families cover the costs of almost any aspect of school including 'BYOD' devices. Please note that BYOD funding may be either 50% or 100% - if the school funds the BYOD device fully, the laptop remains school property and must be handed back when the student leaves school or no longer needs it.
If you feel that you require financial support, please fill out the form below or contact Vicki Patton, our Guidance Counsellor, to arrange a confidential meeting. She will be able to discuss with you the options that are available for support.
WHS recognises the role eLearning plays in upholding our vision in a rapidly changing world. The change in access to new technologies penetrates all aspects of society with the way people work, communicate and relate to each other. WHS identifies that the teaching and learning environment has to keep abreast with societal changes.
BYOD will allow all students to learn in ways that are not possible in a traditional classroom. The key drivers for change are:
- Connectedness - ‘edgeless’ education, connected minds
- Ubiquity - anywhere, anytime, any pace, any device learning
- Agency - the ‘power to act’ - informed/empowered/enabled learners
How to get a device
There are a number of options families have available to obtain a device.
- Families may have a suitable device already or have the ability to purchase a suitable device from any supplier either online or in store.
- Families may use finance options available to them in store.
- We recognise that not all families may be in a position to provide a suitable device for learning. It is possible for families to access our Awhi Fund for financial support.
Financial Support
WHS operates the Awhi Fund, the Maori word for 'help'. This fund is designed to assist families cover the costs of almost any aspect of school including 'BYOD' devices. Please note that BYOD funding may be either 50% or 100% - if the school funds the BYOD device fully, the laptop remains school property and must be handed back when the student leaves school or no longer needs it.
If you feel that you require financial support, please fill out the form below or contact Vicki Patton, our Guidance Counsellor, to arrange a confidential meeting. She will be able to discuss with you the options that are available for support.
Device Selection
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Minimum Specifications
These are the baseline specifications that students will need in order to participate in effective learning. All devices must meet the minimum specifications. |
Recommended Specifications
These are more suitable for students with specific subject needs and ensuring longevity of the device for the student’s school career. |
Please note that Chromebooks are not supported devices and are not compatible with the WHS WiFi.
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Minimum Specifications |
Recommended Specifications |
Form Factor |
Laptop |
Laptop |
Screen Dimensions |
11.6 inch |
13 inch or greater |
Operating System |
Windows 10 or 11 Mac OS Big Sur |
Windows 10 or 11 Mac OS Big Sur or Monterey |
Browser |
Google Chrome |
Google Chrome |
Wifi |
Dual band 802.11ac |
Dual band 802.11ac + 5Ghz |
Battery Life |
8 hours |
10+ hours |
Age |
Less than 3 years old |
Less than 1 year old |
Ram and Solid State HD |
4GB RAM 128GB SSD HD |
8GB RAM 256 SSD HD |
Subject-Specific Specifications
We have made the decision to be able to operate all of our classes using both Windows and Mac platforms. For some software, Wakatipu High School has site licenses which extend to student devices, however, this is not the case for all software.
In addition to the specifications listed above, these higher specifications are strongly recommended for students studying any of the below option subjects:
We have made the decision to be able to operate all of our classes using both Windows and Mac platforms. For some software, Wakatipu High School has site licenses which extend to student devices, however, this is not the case for all software.
In addition to the specifications listed above, these higher specifications are strongly recommended for students studying any of the below option subjects:
- Visual Arts
- Design
- Photography
- Media Studies
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Higher Specifications |
Processor |
i5 processor recommended / i7 or Ryzen 5+ Best |
Operating System Windows |
Microsoft Windows 10 or 11 with all current updates (please make sure you have the full version of Window) |
Operating System MAC |
macOS (big Sur or higher) |
RAM |
16 GB recommended anything higher better |
Hard Drive |
250GB SSD Recommended / 512GB SSD Best |
Graphics Card |
Built in Graphics card ideally (or Ryzen 5 or 7 processors) |
Screen Dimensions |
13 inch or greater |
We don't recommend any particular supplier, however if you head to this website it shows a range of suitable devices at different price points which meet our above specifications. The code to unlock the PBTech discounts for these devices is: BYOD2022
All Years: Other Useful Information
- Microsoft Office: Microsoft office is available as a free download on up to 5 personal devices for enrolled students through the Office 365 Student Advantage programme. NB: This software will run on Windows PC, Mac OS X, iOS and some Android devices but not Chromebooks.
- Robustness: Your device should be strong enough to survive a fall onto a hard surface. You should strongly consider carrying your device in a protective sleeve or case.
- Anti-virus software: For Windows PC and Mac OS X devices anti-virus and anti-spyware software is recommended to protect the data on the device.
- Weight: Should be light enough to carry around all day. NB: anything more than 2.5kg including the case might be too heavy.
- Headphones: We advise that you purchase headphones so you are able to access media during class without disturbing others.
- Insurance: While we take care to protect students’ property, we cannot accept responsibility for devices damaged, lost or stolen, so make sure it is covered for these possibilities under either your home contents insurance or through a specific policy bought with the device.
- Life span: Due to factors such as battery life and warranty, it will probably be necessary to purchase two devices during a student’s five years at WHS.
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